ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-NIScPR Organises Fit India Freedom Run 3.0
National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research NIScPR), New Delhi is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research  which serves the Nation with its mandates of policy research and science communication related studies. To strengthen the ‘Fit India Mission’ of Government of India, CSIR-NIScPR is organizing ‘Fit India Activities during 2-31 October 2022. Many sports activities are scheduled under this endeavor.
Dr. Sujit Bhattacharye, Director In-Charge, CSIR-NIScPR flagging off ‘Fit India Freedom Run 3.0’
Today, CSIR-NIScPR organizes ‘Fit India Freedom Run 3.0’ of 3 Kilometer distance for its staff members, Project Associates, Research Interns, AcSIR Students, Outsource manpower, friends and family members. NIScPR’s Director In-Charge Dr. Sujit Bhattacharya flagged off this Fit India Freedom Run from its New Delhi Pusa Campus at 10:30 AM. On the occasion, Dr. Bhattacharya says that Fit India Run is an innovative gesture to make aware the staff members and other human resources of the institute for health and fitness. The Chairman of CSIR-NIScPR Committee for the Fit India Mission, Shri Ashwani Kumar Brahmi briefed all the participants of Fit India Freedom Run about the concerned guidelines of the Govt. of India. In this activity, Dr. Mohammad Rais, Dr. Naresh Kumar, Dr. L. Pulamte, Dr. B. L. Garg, Dr. Sandhya Wakdikar, Dr. Madhulika Bhati, Dr. Suman Ray, Dr. Puspanjali Tripathy, Dr. Shiv Narayan Nishad, Dr. Arvind Meena, Dr. Manish Mohan Gore, Dr. Meher Wan, Dr. Paramananda Barman , Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh Roshan, Controller of Administration, Shri Ajay Kumar, Controller of Finance & Accounts, Shri Pankaj Goswami, Administrative officer and other staff members of the Institute actively participated in this Fit India Run. The number of participants was more than 200.
Staff members of CSIR-NIScPR are participating in Fit India Freedom Run
CSIR-NIScPR is very active in sports activities and it regularly participates in Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Memorial Tournaments  along with the in-house sports activities. The SSBMT is a platform created by CSIR Sports Promotion Board to bring together the participation of different CSIR institutes to build a committed CSIR family and create team spirit, leadership and zeal to excel against all odds. Under SSBMT, competitions in games of Cricket, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Chess, Carrom and Bridge are organized. CSIR-NIScPR is an active member of SSBMT.
<><><><><><>
SNC/RR
(Visitor Counter : 745
Ministry of Textiles
Shri Piyush Goyal calls for revival of handloom industry on 7th National Handloom Day
Weavers’ service centre, kolkata and NIFT,Kolkata jointly celebrated national handloom day
Kolkata , 7th August, 2021
Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food and Public Distribution Shri Piyush Goyal has said that steps needs to be taken to increase the production capacities of handloom sector. Addressing an event on the occasion of 7th National Handloom Day virtually, Shri Goyal said that nation is committed to ensure sustainable development of the handloom sector, thereby empowering handloom weavers and workers financially and instilling pride in their exquisite craftsmanship. The minister announced that a Committee will be constituted consisting of all weavers, trainers equipment makers , marketing experts and other stake holders to recommend ways and means to achieve the objective and improve all round progress of handloom sector.
He said that it was in a meeting held on August 07 , 1905 at Kolkata Town Hall that the Swadeshi Movement was launched which aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes. Shri Goyal added that to commemorate this historical occasion, and to celebrate our handloom tradition,this day was declared 7th August as National Handloom Day in 2015. He added that target must be set to increase the export of handloom items from existing 2,500 crore rupees to 10,000 crore rupees in the next three years. The minister also urged people to buy at least one handloom item in order to promote weavers and handloom sector. He called for support for the local handloom products so that it will be transformed from ‘Vocal for Local’ to ‘Vocal for Global’. He was happy to see that the Olympics medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu tweeted to support for the local handloom products. Mentioning the recent landmark of administering 50 crore Covid vaccine doses, the minister said that very soon, all of those who are above 18 years old, will get vaccine.
In Kolkata the day was celebrated by Weavers service centre and National Institute of Fashion Technology , Kolkata. A special programme was organized at NIFT salt lake campus. Director of NIFT, Kolkata Sri Shobhon Krishna Sahoo was the chief guest of the programme. He inaugurated today’s programme. Dr. V Shibkumar, director, Khadi and Village Industries Commission and eminent artist Smt Alokananda Roy were the special guest in the programme Padma Shri Biren Kumar Basak was felicitated in the programme. Sri Basak said that Covid effected weavers adversely, but at the same time central government took appropriate steps to bail out the situation.
(CG/CB/
Ministry of Finance
CAPITAL INVESTMENT OUTLAY INCREASED BY 33% TO ₹ 10 LAKH CRORE
EFFECTIVE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF CENTRE AT 4.5% OF GDP
50-YEAR INTEREST FREE LOAN TO STATES CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER YEAR
INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE SECRETARIAT TO ASSIST STAKEHOLDERS FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT
Continuing with the trend of recent years, Union Budget 2023-24 proposes a steep increase in capital investment outlay – envisioning capital investment as the driver of growth and jobs. This was stated by Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Budget 2023-24 in Parliament here today.
“This substantial increase in recent years is central to the government’s efforts to enhance growth potential and job creation, crowd-in private investments, and provide a cushion against global headwinds”, Smt. Sitharaman said.
The Finance Minister proposed to increase capital investment outlay for the third year in a row, by 33% to ₹ 10 lakh crore, which would be 3.3% of GDP and almost three times the outlay in 2019-20.
EFFECTIVE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Smt. Sitharaman added that the direct capital investment by the Centre is complemented by the provision for creating capital assets through Grants-in-Aid to States. She said that this “Effective Capital Expenditure” of the Centre would be budgeted at ₹ 13.7 lakh crore i.e. 4.5% of GDP.
INTEREST-FREE LOAN TO STATES CONTINUED
To spur investment in infrastructure and to incentivize States for complementary policy actions, the Finance Minister proposed to continue the 50-year interest free loan to State Governments for one more year – with the outlay in this regard being enhanced significantly to ₹ 1.3 lakh crore.
INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE SECRETARIAT
The Finance Minister in her Budget 2023-24 speech noted that after the subdued period of the pandemic, private investments are growing again. To attract private investment in sectors predominantly dependent on public resources, Smt. Sitharaman said that the newly-established Infrastructure Finance Secretariat will assist all stakeholders for more private investment in infrastructure sectors like railways, roads, urban infrastructure and power.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Status of Jal Jeevan Mission in Tribal Areas
To enable every rural household in the country to have potable tap water supply by 2024, including those in tribal areas and areas that are not reachable by motorable road in forest and hilly regions, Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission  – Har Ghar Jal.
At the time of announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, 3.23 Crore  rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/UTs as on 02.02.23, more than 7.83 Crore rural households have been provided with tap water connections in last three and half years. Thus, as on 02.02.2023, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, around 11.07 Crore  households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.
Under the Mission, 30% weightage is assigned for difficult terrains which inter alia include areas under Desert Development Programme  and Drought Prone Area Programme  and 10% weightage is assigned for population residing in SC/ ST dominated areas, while allocating the fund, to prioritize the coverage in these areas. Further, expeditious implementation of the Mission, distinct provisions have been made in JJM-IMIS and JJM dashboard for effective monitoring and follow-up with respective States through regular review meetings at highest level inter alia including Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of the States, Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretaries, Secretary and Secretary in charge in respective States/ UTs including conferences, workshops, video conferences and also field visits.
Details of tribal households provided with tap water connection is not maintained centrally. However, State/ UT-wise details of tap water connections provided to rural households across the whole States and in Scheduled Tribe areas, as reported by States/UTs, as on 02.02.2023, are annexed.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a
written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Scientist from IIT Kanpur develops washable adhesive and related products
Scientists have developed a sticky mat which takes away dust from a contacting surface, ensuring a clean, hygienic, healthy, and refreshing atmosphere at our home, offices, hospitals, and laboratories as also smooth functioning of many expensive equipments. The mat is a low-cost one and remains washable and usable over many cycles.
Prof Animangsu Ghatak from the Department of Chemical Engineering IIT Kanpur, who developed the mat with the support of Department of Science & Technology, Government of India under Make in India initiative, took inspiration from adhesive pad present at the feet of wall climbing animals, like house lizards.
The adhesive associated makes use of nanoscopic pyramidal bumps on its surface to attract dust particles towards it, thereby cleaning the sole of our shoes when we step on it. When the adhesive gets completely covered with particulate matter, it is washed in a way that we wash our clothes. At this, the surface gets back its ability to stick and remains usable through hundreds of such cycles.
The scientists have used a bottom-up approach of preparation of nano- to micro-patterned surface on elastomer over a large area, control of geometry of surface patterns by simple methods, washability, and reusability of the adhesive over many cycles for the development of this mat. It has been validated, and an Indian patent application has been filed for the sticky mat. It is simple to prepare, easy to wash, environmentally benign, cost-effective, and can be a replacement for materials imported for the same purpose. The closest substitute is the 3M sticky pad that is not washable or reusable.
This mat can be used in ICU of Hospitals, clean rooms, facilities housing sophisticated equipment as a component of air filters. The technology is important wherever cleanliness and hygiene is desired. The product is in 7 – 8 level of technology readiness level and is yet to be commercialised. A pilot plant is being built to make the material in a scale larger.
Figure 1. Example of washable adhesive
Figure 2. Washable adhesive used for catching dust and even mosquitoes inside home.
[For more details, contact Animangsu Ghatak ]
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 64.51 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 5.21 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccinemanufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
64,51,07,160
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
5,21,37,660
More than 64.51crorevaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so farthrough Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than5.21Cr balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays homage to late PM Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat on his birth anniversary
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid homage to late Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birthday anniversary at Vijay Ghat today.
He posted a picture of himself on X with its caption reading:
"At Vijay Ghat, offered tributes to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji."
Ministry of Defence
INDO – US SPECIAL FORCES JOINT EXERCISE CULMINATES AT BAKLOH, HIMACHAL PRADESH
The 13th Edition of India - USA Joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022 culminated at Bakloh  on 28 August 2022. This annual exercise is hosted alternatively between India and the United States. The 12th edition was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington  in October 2021.
The 21-day joint training provided an opportunity for the Special Forces from both nations to train in Air Borne Operations, Special Operations and Counter Terrorism operations in a joint environment under United Nations Charter. The exercise was conducted in two phases; the first phase involved combat conditioning and tactical level special missions training exercises and the second phase included 48 hours of validation of training received by both contingents in the first phase.
Both contingents expressed immense satisfaction on the outcomes of the exercise, in terms of the standards achieved and sharing of best practices, when both contingents undertook joint training, planning and execution of a series of mock operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain.
Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR with the US Special Forces is significant in terms of security challenges faced by both Nations in the backdrop of the current global situation. The joint military exercise has further strengthened the traditional bond of friendship between the special forces of both Nations as well as improved bilateral defence cooperation between India and the USA.
____________________________________________________________
(Visitor Counter : 6253
Ministry of Steel
NMDC Celebrates 76th Independence Day
NMDC, the country's largest Iron ore producing Navratna mining company under Ministry of Steel, celebrated the 75 illustrious years of Indian Independence by hoisting the national flag on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day at the company's headquarters in Hyderabad and all its project sites with great fervour. Shri Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC along with Shri A Shankariah, senior most employee at Head Office unfurled the tricolour at the NMDC Corporate Office at Hyderabad in the presence of employees.
On this occasion Shri Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC said, “The role of PSUs in the economic growth of the nation has been monumental and NMDC has consistently dedicated itself to meet the infrastructure needs of the country. As we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, I urge everyone to wholeheartedly participate in Har Ghar Tiranga by hoisting the flags at their homes as a mark of respect, gratitude and tribute to our motherland. As flag bearers of the country’s future, it is our duty to preserve the ethos of this great nation.”
NMDC had organised a Mega Chess Tournament on its 64th Foundation Day and a Painting Competition for school students during AKAM Iconic Week. The winners of the Chess & Painting competition and indoor games for employees and associates were felicitated today by the CMD, Functional Directors, CVO, Smt. Bratati Deb, President, Mineral Eves Club;
Smt. Chetali Mukherjee and Smt. Lipi Mohanty.
Ministry of Defence
Defence Secretary & Malaysian Deputy Secretary General  co-chair 12th Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi
The 12th meeting of Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee  was held in New Delhi on September 19, 2023. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Deputy Secretary General , Malaysia Mr Mohd Yani bin Daud. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the outcomes of the two sub-committee meetings namely Sub Committee on Military Cooperation held on July 27, 2023 and Joint Sub Committee on Defence Science Technology and Industry Cooperation held on September 18, 2023.
Both sides assessed the existing defence cooperation between the two countries and held wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest including regional issues. They explored effective and practical initiatives to further expand bilateral defence engagements and agreed to establish a Strategic Affairs working Group  to formulate a consultative mechanism intermediate between the MIDCOM and the two Sub-committees to handle all aspects of the defence cooperation between the two countries.
The two chairs also articulated steps in the direction of emerging areas of cooperation like cyber security and issues pertaining to global commons. They identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration, especially in the field of defence industry, maritime security and multilateral cooperation.
During the MIDCOM, the Defence Secretary shared an 8-point proposal with the Malaysian side to expand cooperation between India and Malaysia on a wide range of areas such as Government to government-level engagement, Tri-Service cooperation, Training, UN Peacekeeping, Bilateral Services Engagement, Defence Industrial Cooperation, Research & Development and Regional/ Sub-Regional Engagements.
The Defence Secretary highlighted the potential of the domestic defence industry with capacity and capability to cooperate with the Malaysian Armed Forces in its shipbuilding and maintenance plans. Malaysia expressed confidence in the capability of the Indian defence industry and discussed possibilities for co-design, co-production and co-development in the field of defence industry. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to implement fully the Enhanced Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust and understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy & rule of law.
As part of the visit, the Malaysian delegation also interacted with DRDO officials and identified areas of mutual interest. The delegation is scheduled to visit Mumbai on September 20, 2023 for interactions at Mazagaon Dockyard Limited and Headquarters, Western Naval Command.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
A Number of Decisions taken to Promote use of CNG/PNG
Government has taken a series of decisions to promote use of CNG and PNG. Development of City Gas Distribution  networks supports the availability and accessibility of natural gas in form of Piped Natural Gas  to households, industrial uses and Compressed Natural Gas  for transportation uses. Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board  is the authority to grant authorization to the entities for developing of CGD network in Geographical Areas  as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB identifies GAs for authorizing the development of CGD network in synchronization with the development of natural gas pipeline connectivity and natural gas availability. About 232 GAs covering 407 districts spread over 27 States/UTs including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have been allowed for the development of CGD networks. PNGRB webhosted public notice dated 04.02.2020 wherein a tentative list of 44 identified GAs to be covered under upcoming 11th CGD bidding round has been prepared which include cities of Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
“Guidelines for sale of Biodiesel for blending with high speed diesel for transportation purposes-2019” have been issued by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas vide Notification dated 30.04.2019. As per the Notification to avoid entry of unscrupulous biodiesel suppliers, a suitable registration system for biodiesel manufactures, suppliers and sellers will be devised at the State/UT Level.
PNGRB has authorized Green Gas Limited  for development of CGD network in Lucknow GA on 15.03.2016. Further, under 10th CGD bidding round, PNGRB authorized Gonda and Barabanki districts GA to Torrent Gas Private Limited  for development of CGD network. PNGRB is yet to authorize Gopalganj and Darbhanga districts of Bihar; Nanded, Hingoli and Yavatmal districts of Maharashtra for development of CGD network. However, Gopalganj, Darbhanga and Hingoli districts have been included in the tentative list of GAs under the proposed 11th CGD bidding round. Nanded and Yavatmal districts of Maharashtra will be covered for development of CGD network in future bidding rounds, based on the availability of natural gas pipeline/source and techno-commercial viability.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.